- PPF Points
- 2,888
Picking between freelance and full-time web dev? That’s a wild ride. Back when I was just getting started, I kinda needed the whole 9-to-5 thing. Like, I wanted a steady paycheck, someone telling me, “Hey, here’s what you gotta do,” and a bunch of folks to bounce ideas off. Structure’s comfy, you know? Plus, corporate life taught me not to be a total disaster in a team setting and that big projects don’t just go from zero to hero overnight.
But, honestly, after a while, I started side-eyeing the whole office grind. Even remote gigs started to feel like I was just clocking in for the sake of it. I’d catch myself daydreaming about telling clients “nope,” working in my pajamas, or just straight-up taking a random Wednesday off for no reason. Sounds dreamy, right?
So, when I finally ditched the 9-to-5 for freelance, it was...intense. On one hand, you’re the boss. On the other, you’re also the accountant, the hype person, the support desk—basically, you’re doing everything except making the coffee for yourself (or maybe you’re doing that too). Some weeks? I was raking in more than I ever did in a “real job.” Other weeks, I was straight-up sweating the rent. But the freedom? Oh man, that’s the addictive part. Picking your own tech stack, working with people who don’t make you want to pull your hair out, skipping projects that sound soul-crushing—it’s all on the table.
Don’t get me wrong, though. It’s not all “laptop on the beach” Instagram nonsense. Sometimes it gets lonely. Like, you’ll actually miss those mindless Slack conversations or having someone else handle the boring stuff. Nobody’s holding your hand. You gotta hustle, grow a thicker skin, and figure out how to, y’know, run a business. That part took me a minute.
So here’s the thing: there’s no “one is better” answer. It’s all about timing, personality, and what you want outta life right now. I know devs who bounce between both, depending on whether they want a safety net or some creative chaos. Me? I like mixing it up. Sometimes I crave the steady paycheck, other times I’m all about the wild freelance ride. If you’re stuck at this crossroads, maybe ask yourself: what kind of life do you actually wanna build—and which gig fits that vibe right now? No shame in swapping lanes when you need to.
But, honestly, after a while, I started side-eyeing the whole office grind. Even remote gigs started to feel like I was just clocking in for the sake of it. I’d catch myself daydreaming about telling clients “nope,” working in my pajamas, or just straight-up taking a random Wednesday off for no reason. Sounds dreamy, right?
So, when I finally ditched the 9-to-5 for freelance, it was...intense. On one hand, you’re the boss. On the other, you’re also the accountant, the hype person, the support desk—basically, you’re doing everything except making the coffee for yourself (or maybe you’re doing that too). Some weeks? I was raking in more than I ever did in a “real job.” Other weeks, I was straight-up sweating the rent. But the freedom? Oh man, that’s the addictive part. Picking your own tech stack, working with people who don’t make you want to pull your hair out, skipping projects that sound soul-crushing—it’s all on the table.
Don’t get me wrong, though. It’s not all “laptop on the beach” Instagram nonsense. Sometimes it gets lonely. Like, you’ll actually miss those mindless Slack conversations or having someone else handle the boring stuff. Nobody’s holding your hand. You gotta hustle, grow a thicker skin, and figure out how to, y’know, run a business. That part took me a minute.
So here’s the thing: there’s no “one is better” answer. It’s all about timing, personality, and what you want outta life right now. I know devs who bounce between both, depending on whether they want a safety net or some creative chaos. Me? I like mixing it up. Sometimes I crave the steady paycheck, other times I’m all about the wild freelance ride. If you’re stuck at this crossroads, maybe ask yourself: what kind of life do you actually wanna build—and which gig fits that vibe right now? No shame in swapping lanes when you need to.
